Publications by authors named "Mary L Merchant"
The purpose of this research was to provide a systematic review of, and assign an evidence grade to, the research articles on elder abuse. Sixteen health care and criminal justice literature databases were searched. Publications were reviewed by at least two independent readers who graded each from A (evidence of well-designed meta-analysis) to D (evidence from expert opinion or multiple case reports) on the quality of the evidence gained from the research.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: An estimated 95,000 people developed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections during 2005 of which 14% were community-associated and 85% were hospital or other health setting associated, and 19,000 Americans died from these infections that year.
Purpose: To explore health care providers' perspectives on management of skin and soft tissue infections to gain a better understanding of the problems faced by busy providers in primary care settings.
Methods: Focus group meetings were held at 9 family physician offices in the Iowa Research Network.
Objective: To implement a colon cancer screening program for uninsured or underinsured Iowans.
Methods: All 1995 uninsured patients or patients with Iowa Care insurance aged 50 to 64 years attending the University of Iowa Clinic or the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic were mailed information about the project. Recruitment also took place in person, by having the clinic receptionist hand subjects a research packet, and through community posters.
Various interventions have been implemented to increase the rate of colon cancer screening. The purpose of this study was to determine if persons who are regular patients of a clinic, ages 50-64 years, and not up-to-date with colon cancer screening will complete the at-home fecal-immunochemical test (FIT) if it is mailed to them. This intervention was designed to have the subject avoid the signing of an informed consent and having to ask for the screening test; and, only one stool specimen was needed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Patient self-care behaviors, including taking medication, following a meal plan, exercising regularly, and testing blood glucose, influence diabetes control. The purpose of this research was to identify (1) which barriers to diabetes management are associated with problem behaviors and (2) which patient behaviors and barriers are associated with diabetes control.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of linked medical record and self-reported information from patients with type 2 diabetes.
Background And Objectives: Educators should document students' clinical skills experience and whether curriculum and other course changes impact this experience. We wanted to determine the factors associated with students' clinical skills experience during their third-year family medicine preceptorship.
Methods: We conducted an observational study of 1,419 third-year students at the University of Iowa taking a required family medicine preceptorship during 9 academic years: 1994-1995 to 2002-2003.
Purpose: To investigate whether the gender of a student or preceptor affects the students' level of experience with clinical skills in a preceptorship.
Method: A total of 451 third-year medical students completed a required family medicine preceptorship during three academic years (1997-2000) at one medical school. Students recorded their highest levels of experience with 57 clinical skills at the completion of the preceptorship using a five-point scale.